HIV Transmission and Acquisition Risks The risks of HIV virus acquisition or transmission vary from person to person, largely depending on the overall exposure of an individual. Most commonly, the transmission of the virus is due to unsafe sexual practices or through drug abuse. A number of factors can have various impacts on the HIV transmission risks. One of these is the antiretroviral therapy which tends to reduce the risks of transmission by a startling ninety six percentage. Also, usage of condoms is said to lower the risks by as much as eighty percent. Virus Concentration According to a study conducted by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, HIV transmission is largely dependent on the level of HIV in the patient’s blood. This means that the likelihood of infection being transmitted to other heterosexual partners decreases with lower HIV levels in the blood. This study is one of the largest to be conducted, tracking the habits of over 415 couples and spanning a period of over 30 months. The study has been able to prove a relation between the virus concentration in an individual’s blood and the associated risk factors of transmission. HIV transmission in men and women is therefore dependent on the viral load irrespective of the gender of the infected. Genital Schistosomiasis Genital schistosomiasis is also considered as a major risk factor for HIV transmission. Studies have found that urinary schistosomiasis is closely linked to lesions in the female genitals, especially in the lower genital tract. These lesions have strong tendency towards contact bleeding and even abnormalities in vessel development. What’s more is that the deformities may not be cured even after treatment. The same lesions are held as an important HIV transmission and acquisition risk factor. Other Risks Other risks include usage of equipments such syringes and needles in order to inject particular drugs of steroids into the body such that the same have been used or shared with other individuals as well. Individuals who have a medical history of Hepatitis, STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) or tuberculosis are also at an increased risk for HIV infection. The risks of female to male transmission of the HIV virus through sexual activities are reduced by half through male circumcision. There is however modest epidemiological evidence to support that male circumcision is in fact a risk lowering factor for the transmission of the virus to their female partners only or is effective in preventing the same in their male partners as well. References http://www.researchomatic.com/Assignment-Hiv-Aids-An-Overview-8228.html HIV transmission. (2000). Pharmaceutical Representative, 30(6), 7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195788005?accountid=458
HIV Risk Factors
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